MWC

[JBB2]

Is it the players, the cities or the University names that give the FBS its panache?

If it’s the player, essentially the level of play, it’s already there. NDSU is full of FBS players and coaches. So are a lot of the teams we play. The FBS recently bought the SDSU FCS football program for crying-out-loud

If it’s the cities the FCS towns are for the most part smaller, safer, still fun and priced right.

If it’s the University names we should all be aware it’s not always a state in the FBS either.

NDSU fans need to savor the big games. There are plenty of them often getting national attention. All games are on ESPN+and we have Phil Hansen, the top color commentator on the game today. A fan needs season tickets to get a seat at the big ones. They can treat the lessor games far more casually. It’s also an easy drive to an away game or two

The upside of ESPN+ is huge. It’s a lot more accessible than ESPN or any other stream requiring a “tv provider”.

I think the TV/Media packages are worth more. The division should start there to improve revenue to the schools.

Ps. There is only one division of true D1 College Football, that’s the FCS.

[JBB2]

Think of the resentment on a “college” roster where starting QBs get $2mill and corner backs only $250k. What about the depth chart? Will some of those talented players take a chance at an FCS program as a path to the pros? I think so. I think the level of play in the FCS is on the upward slope.

Two words: coaching and portal

The FBS might take talented young players away but will lose talented, experienced bench players. The fact the FBS is interested in FCS players at all is a testament to how good the division is. Transfers both ways, players and coaches, speaks to a certain level of parity.

[JBB2]

what makes fcs growing and strengthening?

and i swear if you say the IVY we're going to fight

There’s some stuff for you Kevin. Hardly mentioned the Ivy.

[JBB2]

One thing in favor of an improving FCS: it’s embarrassing for a lot of these State .universities and wanna-bes to get there a***s handed to them year after year. the closer to Fargo the worse it seems to get. Look at how both South Dakota programs have improved. It’s all on national tv now too!

Just think how the pride-full Ivy fans from back east are going to take their pummelings. They are going to have to land in fly-over country to enjoy their 45-3 nationally televised loss to North Dakota State.

Of course they will confuse us with un_ for a while but they won’t be entertained by that for long.

Don’t get me wrong, they are good folks and it will be an honor and pleasure to host them, but the psychology will be at work. Football isn’t going to be as cheap for the top Ivy teams anymore.

[JBB2]

NDSU 2027 Mountain West Schedule

Wyoming
@AIR FORCE (easy flight to Denver)
San Jose State
@UNLV
@Nevada (Week Vaca- easy flight to vegas!)
New Mexico
UTEP
@Hawaii

This is gonna be AWESOME!!!!!!!

What about the other games? Maybe a 2 for 1 with Sam Houston, travel to JMU, 2 for 1 with Akron and a home game vs Eastern Mich sound about right? We might get Kent State or Bowling Green too. They might come to Fargo for the big FBS game.

The best bet would be the Reusse proposal of the annual Bison/Gopher opener. NDSU would use TCF or the US Bank as home field.

[JBB2]

The MWC would be a step up for NDSU football. They do give up a whole lot to get there. Far more than an Illinois State or Tarleton. These schools are also-rans in the FCS. Will they be more competitive as FBS programs?

Should NDSU accept the same deal as Tarleton or Sac State? They give up obscurity for more obscurity at the higher level.

NDSU gives up Championship football and the associated value and notoriety for that same level of obscurity just to get into an FBS division that will probably not exist as we know it in 5 years.

There are a lot of hard decisions to make about the costs. The biggest costs to NDSU might be the intangible costs of giving up the top spot for the uncertainty of a bottom rung in the FBS.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to push on the string to make an all costs deal. When I was buying right-of-way for the seismic crews on the Western Edge we called that having your nose open. NDSU has to get its value. The price must be right.

[User1]

The MWC would be a step up for NDSU football. They do give up a whole lot to get there. Far more than an Illinois State or Tarleton. These schools are also-rans in the FCS. Will they be more competitive as FBS programs?

Should NDSU accept the same deal as Tarleton or Sac State? They give up obscurity for more obscurity at the higher level.

NDSU gives up Championship football and the associated value and notoriety for that same level of obscurity just to get into an FBS division that will probably not exist as we know it in 5 years.

There are a lot of hard decisions to make about the costs. The biggest costs to NDSU might be the intangible costs of giving up the top spot for the uncertainty of a bottom rung in the FBS.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to push on the string to make an all costs deal. When I was buying right-of-way for the seismic crews on the Western Edge we called that having your nose open. NDSU has to get its value. The price must be right.

Totally agree.
I'm not in the camp of "I don't care what it costs, we're going FBS"

[JBB2]

Mountain West Makes Announcement Amid Conference Realignment Rumors

https://athlonsports.com/college-footba ... ent-rumors

No new spots will be opening for a while

1). Conference is stable until 2032

"First, the seven member institutions who are the foundation of the Mountain West have fully committed to the future of the conference," Nevarez continued. "Each member has cemented that commitment by executing a Grant of Rights Agreement, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2032."

No mention NDSU or Tarletan State

[User1]

Time to give up that pipe dream.

It's only gonna happen one way...starting our own conference. Time to stop relying on others who have zero interest in us.

[JBB2]

Full MWC statement. Hope for those wanting FBS is found in #2.

Screenshot 2025-01-31 at 11.19.23 AM-compressed-compressed.jpeg (155.91 KiB) Viewed 11818 times

In depth discussion here. No mention of NDSU but they are very happy with NIU and would really like to see Tarleton State. Reconfirming to me the door is closed.

https://youtu.be/xFIoCSQlj5o?si=OOQWMrFZQ07x0E6R